Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Day fifty-eight of the great upheaval.

To respond to King Yan’s ”expedition,” the Imperial Court issued an announcement after today’s morning court session.

In essence, the idea is that with the new Emperor ascending the throne, an additional imperial examination will be held to celebrate, demonstrating the Emperor’s vast grace and mercy.

This is what is known as the Enke, or special imperial examination.

The imperial examination of the Great Song Dynasty is held once every three years. Last year’s examination has already taken place, so according to custom, it would be held again in three years, or the year after next.

However, the Enke is an additional examination, providing another opportunity for the exam next spring.

Of course, this is the usual Enke, held to fill vacancies among officials. Zhao Chong ordered that this Enke be advanced by three months.

So, three months from now, there will be an imperial examination.

The purpose of the Enke is to bestow imperial grace upon scholars nationwide, winning the hearts of scholars across the realm.

The primary significance of the imperial examination is neither selecting talent nor enlightening the world but to entangle aspiring scholars, so that scholars nationwide serve the Imperial Court.

It also has some effect on stabilizing rebellions, as once the scholars are settled, the rebels are merely ruffians, unlikely to accomplish anything significant and not worthy of concern.

Besides the Enke, the court also announced a martial examination to be held in Bianliang in a week’s time.

Chen Hong’s younger brother, Chen Mo, was the first to respond and register.

This surprised many military generals.

Because prior to this, Chen Mo was just an ordinary person, unknown to the public.

Even though a few days ago he vied with Hu Xian at the Qinyun Pavilion for the courtesan and gave Hu Xian a lesson, making everyone in Bianliang aware of him.

But in the eyes of the people, they merely regarded Chen Mo as someone relying on his elder brother Chen Hong’s influence, just like Hu Xian, also a playboy indulging in debauchery.

Yet no one expected that he would participate in the martial examination.

The status of the martial examination is much higher than that of the imperial examination.

The imperial examination was initiated by Zhao Ji, but the martial examination existed long before.

Xiao Yunqi was the martial champion during the Late Emperor’s reign.

Moreover, there are two strict requirements for participating in the martial examination.

First, the minimum realm of the examinees must be that of a Seventh Grade Martial Artist.

Second, the age of the examinees must not exceed fifty.

Only those who meet these two conditions can participate in the martial examination.

Everyone knows that Chen Hong is under twenty, so his twin brother must be of the same age.

A Seventh Grade Martial Artist at this age, though not considered exceptional, is relatively good.

Chen Mo’s bold declaration to participate in the martial examination suggests he is confident in achieving a ranking, implying his strength is surely higher than the Seventh Grade, possibly the Fifth Grade or above.

In the past, those who ranked in the martial examination were all above the Fifth Grade.

Upon receiving this news, Xiao Yunqi was first taken aback, then muttered, ”If you can achieve a ranking in this martial examination, I will ensure the marriage with the Wu Family’s direct daughter succeeds.”

...

But the main reason Chen Mo wants to participate in the martial examination.

Is to showcase the strength of the ”Chen Mo” identity in front of everyone, paving the way to better replace ”Chen Hong” later.

Because given the current situation, ”Chen Hong” is no longer much needed.

...

The martial examination tests mainly include: ”Horsemanship, Archery, Endurance, and Combat.”

Additionally, there is a cultural examination on military strategy and tactics.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that examinees in the martial examination must be at least six feet tall.

There are also requirements for appearance, notably ”a majestic physique, suitable to be a commander.”

These regulations are naturally targeted to select outstanding military talents.

At the Capital City Infantry Department’s training ground.

Flags flutter around the training ground, drums beating incessantly, with occasional shouts and cheers from the soldiers.

At one end of the training ground stood several target stakes.

At the other end, a few fine horses raced forward, raising a cloud of dust behind them, ridden by various leaders of the Infantry Department, among whom a young general in a green robe on a white horse was particularly eye-catching.

From three hundred meters away from the target stakes, bows were drawn, and arrows were released around two hundred and fifty meters.

With a whooshing sound breaking through the air, the arrow hit the bullseye, and the True Qi enveloping the arrow split the stake open.

”Good.”

”Well shot.”

”As expected from the Deputy Commander’s brother, truly like brother, like brother.”

”Even in the entire Infantry Department, few can match this skill in mounted archery.”

”...”

Crowds erupted in cheers.

Sitting on the reviewing stand, ”Chen Hong” was also smiling broadly, applauding Chen Mo.

However, Chen Mo, still on horseback, showed no reaction and quickly rode to another part of the field.

There, three large cauldrons were placed.

They represented two thousand jin, three thousand jin, and four thousand jin, respectively.

The two-thousand jin cauldron could be lifted by a Seventh Grade Martial Artist, and three thousand jin could be barely tried by one too.

But the four thousand jin could only be lifted by grades Six to Five.

Chen Mo dismounted, having gone through horsemanship and archery without taking a breath, and headed directly to the four thousand jin cauldron.

The eyes of all the soldiers were upon him.

Even the leaders behind Chen Mo looked surprised.

Surprised not only because he went directly to the four thousand jin cauldron.

But also surprised that he didn’t rest and went straight for the four thousand jin cauldron.

The difficulty of the two is not the same.

Having spent some energy on the previous two tests, going directly to lifting a cauldron without rest could lead to exhaustion halfway up, which would be dangerous.

However, since Chen Hong, as his elder brother, said nothing, naturally, the onlookers kept quiet as well.

Chen Mo was seen circling the massive four-thousand jin cauldron, then suddenly crouching down, grasping one foot of the cauldron with both hands.

The generals were taken aback, as typically, one hand is placed on top and the other underneath to lift a cauldron, allowing for better balance.

Lifting it like Chen Mo might manage to lift it, but it wouldn’t be stable.

Such a massive bronze cauldron pressing down could lead to an accident.

But soon, a shocking spectacle unfolded.

Not only did Chen Mo lift it, but he also threw the four-thousand jin cauldron two zhang high into the air.

Everyone stared wide-eyed, mouths agape.

”Oh my goodness.”

”Get out of the way.”

”Watch out.”

As the massive cauldron rocketed up, it suddenly descended, plummeting toward Chen Mo’s head.

Everyone clutched their breath, worried for Chen Mo.

Yet Chen Mo calmly raised one hand, fingers spread.

As the massive cauldron fell, he caught it steadily.

The force transmitted to Chen Mo shattered the bluestone tiles beneath him and sent cracks streaking outward several meters.

Not only that, but Chen Mo even hefted the massive cauldron a bit before gently placing it back down.

”Gulp...”

Everyone couldn’t help but swallow hard.

If Chen Hong had lifted the cauldron, they would not have been surprised.

But with the unknown strength of Chen Mo lifting it, they were naturally stunned.

Everyone paused for a long moment before the enthusiastic cheers resumed.

”Great!”